By Karl Matchett
With the hole on the high standing at seven factors between themselves (and Chelsea) and leaders Liverpool, the Gunners haven’t any room for dropping factors and a visit to Fulham gained’t be straightforward. The Gunners had gained 5 in a row at Craven Cottage till final time period, however nearly precisely a yr in the past they had been crushed 2-1 by Marco Silva’s facet, who themselves are as much as sixth within the desk this time period. With damage points in defence for the guests, the house crew having a former Arsenal man as considered one of their kind males this time period and Mikel Arteta’s crew managing just one away win from their final 5 and this has the hallmarks of a really robust encounter within the seek for consistency.
Present kind
4 wins from seven at house within the league reveals Fulham are in first rate form, as does shifting into the highest six by beating Brighton in midweek. However the defeat towards Wolves reveals they’re fallible, and their defensive file is much from stable. Arsenal are faring higher at house than away, the place they’ve gained three of seven and just one in 5, although that was final time on the highway at West Ham. Beating Manchester United on Wednesday, because of set items as soon as once more, places them again on monitor with three straight top-flight victories – however nonetheless loads of floor to make up.
Group information
Tom Cairney remains to be out suspended for Fulham, however the two massive damage absences are centre-back Joachim Andersen and midfielder Harrison Reed. Reiss Nelson’s personal damage denies him being a sub choice in a busy interval for Fulham as he has been many of the season, although as he’s on mortgage from Arsenal he couldn’t have performed this one anyway.
For the Gunners themselves, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are the continued absences at full-back and in the midst of the defence are two further worries, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori each lacking the midweek win. If neither return, Jakub Kiwior will begin within the center.
Fulham’s most in-form ex-Gunner
Arsenal have expertise all around the pitch but when Fulham are to do something to halt them, it’s an ex-Gunner who might want to shine – and never Emile Smith Rowe both. Alex Iwobi netted twice in midweek and he’s created the second highest quantity of possibilities for Fulham this season (26), probably the most massive possibilities (5), has the very best xA (3.3) and is the membership’s high league scorer (5). Whether or not he begins centrally or broad will dictate which of these traits he’s doubtless so as to add to, however on house soil the Cottagers will want him to be equal elements chance-creator and taker to register a shock end result.
Prediction
Fulham 1 Arsenal 2. The house facet will make it robust however Arsenal’s firepower will win out on the day by the odd objective.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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